Contributed by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter:
On Saturday, May 18 at approximately 2 p.m., a call was dispatched to Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter officers regarding an emaciated and lethargic dog stuck on a small island in the Watsonville Slough near Pasadena Court.
Officer Todd Stosuy responded to the call, but quickly realized he would be unable to rescue the dog on his own, and he needed assistance. Multiple calls were made to various public safety agencies in hopes of obtaining a boat, but all calls were unsuccessful.
Officer Stosuy was finally able to obtain a small plastic inflatable raft and Watsonville Fire Station Number 1 was dispatched to assist. Firefighters John Stone, Almita Schaefer and Corey Schaefer responded and were eager to assist in rescuing the dog.
Firefighter Stone and Officer Stosuy made their way across the slough in the inflatable raft to the small island. They searched the entire island, but were unable to locate the dog. Approximately an hour later the reporting party called to report they could see the dog lying on the island along the shore in duckweed. Officer Stosuy responded again, this time with Watsonville Shelter Supervisor Kiersten Fox.
Once again, Firefighter Stone and Officer Stosuy made their way across the slough in the inflatable raft to the small island. The dog was found laying in duckweed, and was barely visible except for his red collar. The dog was extremely confused, lethargic, and severely emaciated. The dog was quickly leashed and transported back across the slough in the raft.
The dog was immediately transported to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter where a staff veterinarian began treating the animal.
“This is an amazing collaboration between two public safety agencies to go out of their way, and think outside the box, to rescue an animal in need,” said Stosuy. “This dog was literally starving to death on the island, and now he has a second chance at life.”
About 100 bird eggs were found eaten on the island, and it is believed this was the dog’s source of food. It is unknown how the dog got to the island or how long he was there. Based on his level of emaciation and confusion, it is believed he was there for a month, if not longer. The water surrounding the island is brackish and could have caused his organs to fail.
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter operates two open-admission shelters, one at 2200 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz and the second at 580 Airport Boulevard in Watsonville.
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